Gap on stem clamp at handlebar?

Arequipa

Evening,

I hope you are all well.

I have a quick question....

I attached a stem to a handlebar...

As I tighten the X4 bolts.. there is still a gap between the clamp & the handlebar..

Is this safe?

Would I be better getting a stem clamp that wraps around the handlebar without gaps?

Thank you,

A

IMG_20221202_174220.jpg

eeeee

That's fine, as long as it's tightened to the right torque you're grand. Don't do them up too tight, bar snap 0 fun.

Tighten each one a bit at a time, rather than one all the way in, then the next one and so on iykwim. So there's even tension across them.

Arequipa

Hi, thank you for the reply.

That's great.. I was hoping I wouldn't have to buy another stem..

I will be careful with the torque on each bolt!

cletus

It's a good idea to torque them up diagonally.

Also, before final torque, nip each one up so that the gap at the top is the same as the gap on the bottom

magicbastarder

as above - in a sense, you don't want the gap to close up because then you're not guaranteed that the clamp will be bearing down on the bar itself.

Arequipa

Thank you...

I remember someone advising me to tighten diagonally on the bolts..cheers for the reminder.